September 18, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from September 11, 2015

Working Group Meetings at System Update Meeting

• The MEP Continuous Improvement Working Group is getting up and running and we want your participation. An initial group of practitioners have met to draft a charter and discuss opportunities for us to focus on for the coming year. The Working Group will explore opportunities for center to center learning, system collaboration and building network relationships. The group will meet during the MEP Update Meeting in Dallas, Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 – 9:00 am (CT) in the Frisco C meeting room. We will discuss what may be the appropriate framework for this working group, identify benefits of the system (approaches, tools, models), benefits of the growth strategy integrated with continuous improvement and where should this group focus (hot topics, trends, gaps opportunities). Membership is open to any Center staff willing to contribute expertise, share experiences, and/or volunteer to pilot activities. Please contact Brian Lagas if you have any questions.

• The MEP Workforce Working Group is getting up and running.  The Working Group will explore opportunities for peer to peer learning, build network relationships, and inform MEP on activities and investments needed for Workforce Practice expansion.  Membership is open to any Center staff willing to contribute expertise, share experiences, and/or volunteer to pilot activities to advance Workforce goals. An initial group of practitioners have participated in several start up conference calls to draft a charter and discuss opportunities for us to focus on for the coming year.  The group will meet during the Update Meeting in Dallas, Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 – 9:00 am (CT).  Call in access may be available.  Email Mary Ann Pacelli if you want to attend either in person or remotely. 

September's Face of Manufacturing: Nathan Wilmoth

As a kid Nathan Wilmoth was adventurous – he once attempted flight with just a parasail and a tractor! After getting off track during his teenage years and early 20’s, he went back to school as an adult and graduated from Georgia Tech with a 4.0. Now as the Vice President of Operations for M.A. Industries in Peachtree City, GA, he has co-authored six patents, manages a great team of individuals, and gets to tap into his childhood love of design and experimentation every day.  Read his inspiring story and view his video as he talks about working in a winery as a teenager, getting rejected from Georgia Tech the first time he applied and then getting his acceptance on his second try, his emotional attempt to turn in his resignation to go back to school full-time, and how manufacturing allows him to relive his childhood every day. 

Vacancies Around the Network

• Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership is currently seeking applicants for 11 open positions.  The Center has openings for the following roles: Associate Director, Client Services; Associate Director, Engineering & Technology Services; Applications Developer; Industry Consultant – Food & Beverage; Industry Consultant – Polymers; Industry Consultant – Supply Chain Management; Manager of Quality Systems and Services; Productivity Improvement Specialist; Lead Industry Advisor North; Lead Industry Advisor South; and Technology Adoption Manager.  Learn More.
• CIFT is seeking an individual to deliver on projects specifically designed to provide solutions to manufacturers and sell multiple technology based programs.  A Bachelor’s degree is required in Engineering along with technical experience in manufacturing of at least 5 years.  The position is Toledo based but will require extensive travel within Ohio. Click here for more information.  Send resume with cover letter to hr@ciftinnovation.org. 

MEP Orientation

NIST MEP Webinar: MEP Employee Orientation Part 1& Part II

MEP presents an Orientation webinar series for those interested to learn about the MEP program and the MEP system.  The webinar will be a two-part series:

Part I provides a high-level synopsis of the MEP program, geared towards new members of the system and is highly recommended for those who recently joined the MEP center.  Part I is also recommended as a refresher for those who have been in the system and get an update of what’s new.  Part II will present a more in-depth look into the initiatives and strategy of the MEP program.

Details: Sept  29 Webinar link | Password: Employee1234!| Call in: 1-866-218-2764 | Code: 9715131895 

Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program.  Part II MEP Overview Topics will include: MEP Evolution, Strategy, Challenges, Advisory Board, Services & Initiatives, Leadership Programs, and Competitions.

Details: Oct 1 Webinar link | Password: Employee1234! | Call: 1-866-218-2764 | Code: 9715131895 

For questions or assistance, please contact Phill Wadsworth or Wiza Lequin.

HANNOVER MESSE Presentation Series

HANNOVER MESSE, a premier event for industrial and manufacturing technology, will take place April 25-29, 2016 in Hannover, Germany and will welcome  the United States as Partner Country for the first time in the event’s history.  The presentation series will cover the value of participating at HANNOVER MESSE and opportunities for American companies. Each event will feature presentations from HANNOVER MESSE exhibitors, industry media partners, and the U.S. subsidiary of the show organizer – Hannover Fairs, USA.

·         October 2nd - Cincinnati, Ohio - Hosted by Siemens

·         October 8th - Bartlett, Illinois - Hosted be Wittenstein

·         October 15th - Ann Arbor, Michigan - Hosted by Phoenix Contact

·         October 26th - Savage, Minnesota - Hosted by Beckhoff

Advance Michigan IMCP Updates

Last week, partners supporting the Advance Michigan Investing in Communities Partnership (IMCP) received 3 Apprenticeship Grants from the Department of Labor totaling $11M.  And this week the Advance Michigan IMCP received a $5.97 million award from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment.  The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) is a partner in the Advance Michigan IMCP.

Macomb Community College, Focus: HOPE in Detroit, and the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance in Taylor will receive funding to train 1,753 apprentices in information technology and advanced manufacturing across the state.  Read more.  The DOD grant to the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board will establish an Advance Michigan Defense Collaborative in the region, which will focus on creating resiliency in the regional economy, strengthening regional supply chains, and assisting defense-impacted workers and firms. Read more.

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